Method of preventing starting marks in weaving



March 16, 1965 w. M. MCCLURE, JR 3,173,455

METHOD OF PREVENTING STARTING MARKS IN WEAVING Filed Feb. 4, 1963 INVENTOR. WILLIAM M. MCCLLJEEUTE- "f I 2 ZZMQQKM A TTORNE Y United States Patent M 3,173,455 METHOD OF PREVENTING STARTING MARKS IN WEA'VING William M. McClure, Jr., Upton, Mass., assignor t0 Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Filed Feb. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 255,883 3 Claims. (Cl. 139--291) This invention pertains to looms for weaving and, more particularly, to an improved means of fabric control.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a method and means for preventing starting marks in fabric upon starting up a loom after a filling break.

It is a further object of the invention to move the fabric and fell there-of forwardly away from the reed when turning a loom over to remove a broken pick to prevent contact between said reed and fell.

t is a further and more specific object of the invention to provide a mechanism for moving the fabric and fell forwardly away from the reed and for returning the same to a position proper for the next pick without disturbing the take-up, let-back, or'let-off settings of the loom.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a mechanism for depressing the fabric for its entire width to move the same and fell forwardly of the reed and then withdrawing the mechanism to permit the fabric to move rearwardly in preparation for the next pick.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

Starting marks in fabric due to a filling break have been the source of serious complaints in that a permanent and distinct mark is formed in the fabric and is not accepted as being first quality.

A starting mark in fabric as a result of a filling break occurs when starting up a loom after removing the broken pick. On a filling break the loom stops automatically in a known manner, and it is then turned over to that shed opening containing the broken thread; and during the turning over of the loom to said shed opening, the reed strikes the fell of the fabric. This undesired striking of the fell at this point has a tendency to pack the previous laid filling more tightly than those forming the already woven fabric forward of this position and coupled with the slight stretching of the warp yarns during this extra beat-up motion, a distinct line or, in other words, a starting mark appears in the fabric when the loom is started up to resume weaving.

According to the instant invention it is now possible to prevent these start marks in the fabric after a filling break by moving said fabric and the fell thereof a short distance forwardly of the reed. This movement permits the loom to be turned over to that shed opening containing the broken pick without the reed making contact with the fell. After the broken pick is removed, the fabric and fell are permitted to move rearwardly to a position proper for receiving the next pick and continued weaving.

The moving of the fabric and fell forwardly away from the reed is accomplished Without altering the settings of either the let-ofi, let-back, or take-up mechanisms, and is done by depressing the fabric for its entire width intermediate the breast beam and temples.

A horizontally disposed bar member extending transversely of and in abutting relationship with the fabric, is selectively movable in a vertical direction. After a filling break the bar member is moved downwardly to depress the fabric and in so doing it moves the fell a short distance forwardly and away from the reed. When the loom and fabric are in condition to resume Weaving, the bar member is moved upwardly to its initial position and permits the fell to move rearwardly in preparation for the next pick.

3,173,455 Patented Mar. 16, 1965 The invention will be described hereinafter in greater detail by reference to the accompanying figures of drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the upper portion of a loom including the lay, reed, temples, and fabric as well as the fabric depressing bar and operating means therefor according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of some of the parts shown in FIG. 1 including the fabric depressing bar and its relationship to the fabric in its selected and nonselected positions.

Now referring to the figures of drawing, enough of the loom has been illustrated to show the application of the invention thereto.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a lay 10 which supports a reed 11 through which warp threads 12 and 13 are caused to pass in a known manner.

The front of the loom is provided with the usual breast beam 14 which supports at each end thereof rearwardly directed mounting brackets 15 and 16. A nutting bar or breast beam bracket 17 extending the width of the loom is attached at each end thereof to the upper portions of brackets 15 and 16 and is in general alignment with the breast beam 14. A pair of temples 18 and 1% is mounted on each side of the loom intermediate the lay 10 and breast beam 14 and is adapted to support and guide the fabric 20 which as formed is caused to move in the direction of the indicating arrow shown in FIG. 2. The fabric is taken up by being directed over the top of the nutting bar 17, thence beneath the same, and across the back edge of the breast beam 14. It is then caused to encircle partially a take-up roll 21 and a pressure roll 22 from which it is guided in a known manner (not shown) by one or more guide rolls to the fabric take-up roll. A shield 23 which exceeds the width of the fabric and extending transversely thereof has a generally L-shaped cross sectional configuration the lower end of which is attached to the front of the breast beam and the upper portion thereof, being directed inwardly over the top of the nutting bar, serves as a protective shield for the fabric at this point.

The mechanism according to the invention includes a horizontal bar member 24 which extends above and trans versely of the fabric. This bar member is mounted on the inner ends of mounting brackets 15 and 16 by means of centrally disposed studs 25 and 26 which assemble in threaded holes 27 and 28 provided in said mounting brackets. The threaded portion of these studs extend rearwardly beyond the ends of the mounting brackets and are adapted to pass through aligned vertical slots 29 and 30 provided on each end of the bar member 24. Those portions of studs 25 and 26 which protrude through the bar member 24 are provided with Washers 31 and 32 (left-hand only shown) and threaded clamping handles 33 and 34. As seen from the front of the loom, these handles when turned in a clockwise direction will loosen bar member 24 making it selectively movable in a vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, bar member 24 is illustrated by dotted lines when in the proper position for normal loom operation and the fabric during this period is shown by means of dot-and-dash lines. The fell of the fabric during normal loom operation is depicted by line A-A and when depressing the fabric after a loom stop by lowering the bar member 24 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, the fell is caused to move forwardly away from the reed to that position depicted by line BB. Movement of the fell from its normal operating position forwardly as described, permits the loom to be turned over without the reed striking the fell.

In operation, bar member 24 is firmly held in the raised position by means of the clamping handles 33 and 34.

On a filling break the loom is caused to stop in a known manner by the stop motion adapted for that purpose. To prevent a starting mark in the fabric when starting the loom up, which is believed to be caused by the reed striking the fell when turning the loom overto that shed opening containing the broken pick, bar member 24 is lowered by loosening the clamping handles 33 and 34. It is then pressed downwardly to depress the fabric and tightened in this position. At this point the loom is turned over to that shed opening containing the broken pick and is done so without the reed contacting the fell due to the fell line moving from its normal position at line A-A to line BB when the fabric was depressed. After removing the broken pick, handles 33 and 34 are again loosened, bar member 24 is brought back and tightened in its initial position. Raising bar member 24- to its initial position permits the fell to move rearwardly to a positon proper for the next pick and the loom and fabric are then in condition to resume weaving.

1 mile one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not .to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A method of controlling cloth during weaving in a loom to prevent formation of a mark in the cloth upon starting said loom after a filling break and loom stop which includes the steps of i (a) moving the cloth and fell line thereof a short distance forwardly away from the loom reed,

(b) turning the loom over to the shed opening containing the broken pick,

(c) removing the broken pick from the shed opening,

(d) moving the cloth and fell back to their initial positions for receiving the next pick, and

(2) starting the loom for continued weaving.

,2. A method of controlling cloth during weaving in a loom to prevent the formation of start-up marks in the cloth upon starting said loom after a loom stop caused by a filling break which includes the steps of (a) depressing the cloth downwardly for its entire width adjacent the front of the loom and forward of the fell, thereby moving the cloth and fell forwardly away from the loom reed,

(b) turning the loom over to that shed opening containing the broken pick,

(0) removing the broken pick fromt the shed opening,

(d) releasing the tension on the depressed cloth, thereby permitting the cloth and fell thereof to move rearwardly to that position proper for receiving the next pick, and

(e) starting up of the loom to resume weaving.

3. A method of controlling cloth during weaving in a loom to prevent the formation of start-up marks by the reed in the cloth upon starting said loom after a loom stop caused by a filling break which includes the steps of (a) depressing the cloth downwardly for its entire width at a point forwardly of said reed and across a horizontal expanse of the cloth, thereby moving the cloth and fell line thereof forwardly and away from said reed,

(b) turning the loom over to that shed opening containing the broken pick and removing the same therefrom,

(c) releasing the means for holding the fabric and fell line thereof forward of its normal position thereby permitting the same to return to their initial positions in readiness for the next pick, and i (d) the starting up of the loom for continued weaving.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 569,586 10/96 Northrop 139-291 804,964 11/05 Marcoux 139-291 1,536,826 5/25 Draper 139291 2,756,781 7/56 Griffiin 139291 DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF CONTROLLING CLOTH DURING WEAVING IN A LOOM TO PREVENT FORMATION OF A MARK IN THE CLOTH UPON STARTING WITH LOOM AFTER A FILLING BREAK AND LOOM STOP WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF (A) MOVING THE CLOTH AND FELL LINE THEREOF A SHORT DISTANCE FORWARDLY AWAY FROM THE LOOM REED, (B) TURNING THE LOOM OVER TO THE SHED OPENING CONTAINER THE BROKEN PICK, (C) REMOVING THE BROKEN PICK UP FROM THE SHED OPENING, (D) MOVING THE CLOTH AND FELL BACK TO THEIR INITIAL POSITIONS FOR RECEIVING THE NEXT PICK, AND (E) STARTING THE LOOM FOR CONTINUED WEAVING. 